In their last home stand of the 2014-15 regular season, the University of Manitoba Bisons swept the Saskatchewan Huskies.
Manitoba outlasted Saskatchewan Friday night, netting the game-winner in a 2-1 double overtime win. The Bisons showed no signs of wearing down Saturday night, putting together an energetic 6-2 win over the Huskies on senior night.
Despite the low scoring affair on Friday night, the Bisons were not lacking in offence as they peppered the Huskies with 44 shots. Huskies goalie Ryan Holfeld kept his team in the game with an impressive performance, standing on his head at times to keep Manitoba from lighting up the scoreboard.
At the opposite end of the ice, Byron Spriggs put together his own strong showing with 30 saves. Some of the best saves of the night came in the second period as each tender stood tall.
Saskatchewan opened the scoring Friday night in the first period with a goal from Craig McCallum. McCallum sitseighth in Canada West scoring, one point behind Bison Jordan DePape. The Huskies looked to jump out to a two-goal lead in the first period, but it was later waved off due to a high stick.
DePape tied the game up with five seconds left in the second period. The game-winning goal came early in double-overtime, as Taylor Dickin buried a wrist shot for an unassisted goal.
Manitoba carried the momentum of Dickin’s game-winner into Saturday night, dominating the Huskies. The herd only needed 22 shots on goal. They chased away Jordan Cooke after netting four goals in the first period.
Playing in what may be their last home game of their university careers, seniors Jory Coates, Taylor Dickin, Darren Bestland, and Aaron Lewadniuk were recognized with a special ceremony before the start of the game.
Dickin picked up two assists on the night. He now leads his team with 15 assists on the season, and sits12th overall in the conference in points.
Lewadniuk opened scoring two minutes into the first period, assisted by Chad Robinson and Shaquille Merasty. It only took a minute for Manitoba to find the back of the net again, as Brett Dudar put away the second of the night with assists from Justin Augert and Jory Coates.
Coates was back on the score board 10 minutes later, collecting the third goal of the game.
Also scoring for the Bisons were Jesse Paradis and Joel Schreyer with power play markers, and DePape.
The goal was DePape’s team-leading13th of the season, which ties him with Mount Royal’s Cody Cartier forsecond in the Canada West.
The weekend sweep gave the Bisons crucial points as they battle UBC for post-season home ice.
The Bisons, who sitfifth in the conference, have clinched a playoff spot but are determined to bring their first-round matchup to Max Bell. They are in action against Mount Royal University next weekend.
